CJ Fredrick
- Thread starter jessieshorts8
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He is laterally slow.. that usually relates to not being able to guard in a one on one iso situation. They swing the ball around until there is a miss match then go at it. Iowa played zone for a reason- they were slow! I am not bashing the kid, I am excited to have him. I just dont have faith in Cal adapting to playing a zone to accommodate these "shooters" who are not lock down defenders.. He has to figure i tout because we have to score more points. I just think its a wait and see basis to see if he can change extremely old stubborn habits.
You do realize UK is not in the running for any must get that may be out there. There is no such one player who will make or break next year’s Cats. Love to see him in blue.
So odd people who bash the roster for not having enough shooters wouldnt gladly take a proven kid who shoots over 45% from 3. Hes as deadeye as Lamb was.
I was responding to “he’s a must get.” Sounds like you agree he’s not, as you say no one player will make or break our season.
Cal needs to get on the phone and sign him NOW. I don’t care if he has some flaws in his game, we need competent shooting GUARDS, and he is one. Mark my words if he waits till July or August on the few wish list guys and they do not come we are SCREWED. Take a couple of good kids now why they are available
Somebody please tell me why this kid would be a good pickup and it seems Cal wouldn't sniff Powell?
I believe the issue with Powell was that he saw himself as only spending one more year in college. While we may never know for sure, I think Cal didn't want him for that reason. A kid that has a bit of an injury history, and seems intent on leaving for the pros after next year seems like a bit of a gamble at this point. Don't believe Frederick sees himself as leaving after next
Powell has a reputation as bit of a headache and a team cancer who pouts and quits when he doesn't get his way. This will be in 5th or 6th team in as many years. He's also determined to only be in college 1 more year. CJ shoots better, is fine being a role player, doesn't see himself heading to the NBA anytime soon and is a great teammate.
No offense to Hood but he’s not in Fredericks league. Frederick average around 11 ppg in a power 5 conference as a Freshman. I’m not sure if Hood scored 11 points in his whole career. If Frederick is healthy this kid is a quality player that can really help UK next year.
I’d say much better. Hood couldn’t have done this (Dec. 2020).
Iowa guy here. Frederick is a legit player when healthy. Iowa isn't a great defensive team, but when he was healthy he was their best perimeter defender and he is a better athlete than people think. Plus he is one of the best shooters in college basketball and that is key in today's game. In my opinion, Kentucky always has always had enough good defenders recently but it is their shooting that has held them back. You should definitely want this kid.
I would probably be a better player than Hood if they'd let me on the team.
Of course Frederick is going to be better.
Jesus stop with the non defender stuff. He will be fine. How many great players in UK history on title teams were great shooters scorers plus top flight defenders? His coach at Iowa said he was their best perimeter defender.
Of course he is going to be a good contributor to UK but I wanted to see his name pumped up in here rather than dragged down
Iowa played zone for a reason. They were too damn slow to play man to man. That team could shoot the hell out of the ball, it’s true, but they stunk defensively.
I want Frederick to come here but, honestly, I’m not sure Cal’s system is the best fit for him. Players who need zone to hide defensive deficiencies tend to do better elsewhere.
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When the other team zones you, you’re going to be glad you have Fredrick on the roster. He makes shots. Him, Dontaie, and Grady busting the zone. Brooks has a decent mid range jumper too.
Well, there is reason for concern though right? I mean, Dontaie Allen is still picking splinters out of his rectum from last season and according to Cal, in multiple interviews, it was because DA couldn’t play defense. We all saw what DA could do on offense, but scoring 27 points in a game doesn't mean squat to Cal if you can't stop your guy from scoring 10.
CJ Fredrick may have been the best defender on Iowa's squad, but that's like saying the Titanic is the best ship out of all the ships that are at the bottom of the ocean. I mean, it's competition is stiff, I think the Arizona and the Edmund Fitzgerald are gaining on it.
This. I mean it’s fine and all but we’re at the point where we are on pins and needles hoping a decent transfer from IOWA decides to come play for us for 1 year.
It’s all just a bit underwhelming and anticlimactic. Personally speaking. Much of the fan base agrees I think as even tho Kentucky fans will always always always cheer and be delighted when Kentucky is successful... apathy and ambivalence has set in.
Both good points but I still find it interesting that BJ Boston had atrocious defense (and offense at times) as well but never seemed to be penalized for it.
It’s all about the drama, clout and “hype”. Now that there is a tRanSfeR pOrtAL we will see more and more of this. I’ve even noticed it with our own fans. “Yo there is a solid chance we get the #2, #6 and #11 ranked transfers!”
We’re still so very enamored with recruiting rankings and titles.
Goes back to my point about Cal's hard headedness. He plays favorites and it bit him in the *** this year. It's okay though, because his fans are trying to tell everyone that Covid is to blame.
But we're about to find out if he learned his lesson. I bet he didn’t. He will still play favorites and he will still prioritize the NBA draft over UK. My only hope is he changes the offense and uses the portal.
I still think it is crazy how he's allowed to put the nba draft ahead of UK, while legit college programs are taking our lunch and winning titles while we celebrate draft day. Head shaker.
BJ was not what we expected on offense but to say he was atrocious defensively is incorrect. He was getting better in that area with every game. He was , by far, our team leader in steals, way ahead of Mintz and Askew.
Lol, why are you "sitting on pins and needles" over what a college kid decides to do? That's a bit weird man. Honestly, if anything revolving around college kids or college athletics causes you to "sit on pins and needles," or really any emotional discomfort, you seriously might want to reevaluate your life.
I agree with most of what you are saying. I would add that 1.) I think Cal got lazy and just assumed that he could just get players he wanted. Saban, for example, seems to evolve and change whether it is assistants or schemes. Maybe the early success at UK made him drink his own Kool-Aid. 2.) His assistants just weren't that good in getting the players. 3.) Cal is a salesman and although I think he cares about the players' future, he cares about himself. He 'eats first'. So in marketing UK as a pathway to the NBA he thought that would create a pathway to get the top 5 stars. So in essence if the 5 stars succeed so would he (along with UK). Again Cal loves the players but he loves himself more. jmho.
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The silly Saban comparisons have always been wildly misplaced. Cal has never been like Saban. Saban was and remains ahead of the curve in EVERY aspect of coaching.
Whereas Cal only struck me as such in one area: recruiting. He had BY FAR the greatest recruiting run in the history of the sport in his first six years here. CBB has never seen a recruiting run comparable to it before.
But his coaching system/Xs and Os always struck me as oddly simplistic compared to that of other top coaches. He won’t play zones, he won’t press, doesn’t use off ball screens to get guys open on offense, etc. Basically doesn’t even try to make use of a lot of tools that other great coaches use ...and makes some oddly irrational decisions at crunch time.
Just a straight man to man defense and have your guys beat the other one on one on offense. Very simple system. Worked great when we had WAY more talent than everyone else, but not so much now.
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LOL, the gurus strike again. When does a team play zone because a guard can not play defense ? UH, the reason Iowa played zone was to protect their 1st team AA because he could not guard a fence post. Iowa played zone because of Garza, not the short coming of CJ Frederick. BUT, some fans need to pump the brakes on Frederick, he DID NOT average 11 PPG last year, he averaged 7.5 ppg, 1 rpg, and 2 assist per game. 47% from the field, 67% from the free throw line. Also, since when is 38% not good enough 3pt % for guys ? Grady, whos worst scoring average was 17.1 ppg, also averaged 4.6 rpg, and 2.4 assist per game. All better than CJ Frederick. Also, CJ shot 47% from three while taking only 2.8 per game, Grady shot 38% while taking 7 3's per game. HUGE difference. I would call a guy who averages 5 rebounds and 2.5 assist per game, more than JUST a scorer. Especially when you are propping up a guy who was NEVER the main focus of defenses, and still only averaged 7.5 per game with 1, ONE, UNO rebound per game and only 2 APG. Grady is one hell of a get. We can only HOPE CJ Frederick becomes CLOSE to the player Grady is.
Some of you get so enamored with KY guys, you get blinded from the reality of the situation. Frederick CAN be a really nice player, and I want him, BUT, he is not the savior some are making him out to be because he is a white player from KY.
I haven't heard one person claim he is a savior and actually have seen more negative comments.And what does his race have to do with anything?